5 Big Schools On Upset Alert in College Football Week 1

5 Big Schools On Upset Alert In Week 1 of the College Football Season

Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

The college football season is set to kickoff on Thursday! Which teams will make up that final four will be debated all season and maybe even after the season ends. For now let’s just focus on Week 1. Which five big schools should be on upset alert in their first game?

5. Wake Forest (on the road against Louisana-Monroe)

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5. Wake Forest (on the road against Louisana-Monroe)

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Wake Forest isn’t a powerhouse, but they do play in a power conference (ACC), and the Warhawks, who beat Wake on the road last season 21-19, are in the Sun Belt. That’s not the only time the Warhawks have played spoiler before; in 2012 they beat Arkansas, and they pulled off a stunner in 2007 by beating Alabama. Wake Forest will be starting a true freshman at QB (John Wolford), and they have a new coach (Dave Clawson). The Warhawks may win again.

4. Tennessee (home against Utah State)

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4. Tennessee (home against Utah State)

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Tennessee hasn’t had a winning record in SEC play or even won a bowl game since 2007, and they haven’t finished above .500 since going 7-6 in 2009. Only 11 starters returned to the Volunteers from last year’s squad, so they’ll be inexperienced at a lot of positions. QB is also a question mark for Tennessee. The Utah State Aggies should boast a pretty dynamic offense this season, and they return 15 starters from a nine-win team last season.

3. Purdue (home against Western Michigan)

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3. Purdue (home against Western Michigan)

Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

Western Michigan matched Purdue’s win total against FBS teams last season with one. Both teams finished 2013 with 1-11 records. If Boilermaker fans had a magic eight ball and they asked it if the 2014 season will better, the response would probably be “don’t count on it.” Don’t sleep on Western Michigan’s Corey Davis who could be an electrifying WR this season. Western Michigan could take down Purdue in Week 1.

2. South Carolina (home against against Texas A&M)

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2. South Carolina (home against against Texas A&M)

Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

The coverage the SEC gets is nauseating, but it is the best conference in college football and conference games are tough. Both teams are without their starting QBs from last season, and Jadeveon Clowney is no longer suiting up to play defense for the Gamecocks. A&M is loaded with talent at WR and RB, and they may be able to exploit the new faces on the Gamecocks' defense in Week 1.

1. Iowa State (home against North Dakota State)

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1. Iowa State (home against North Dakota State)

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Eight FBS teams were beaten by FCS teams in the first week of the 2013 season. One of those teams to lose was Iowa State. An FBS team has fallen to North Dakota State every year since 2010 — last season the Bison beat Kansas State. NDSU are the reigning FCS national champions and return six starters on defense. Iowa State finished the 2013 season with a 3-9 record. Do not be surprised if Iowa State falls to NDSU in Week 1.